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South Sydney veteran Siliva Havili among almost 90 players off-contract at end of NRL season

‘I’ve got options.’
Scott BaileyBy Scott Bailey
South Sydney utility Siliva Havili is weighing up a move to England.

South Sydney veteran Siliva Havili among almost 90 players off-contract at end of NRL season

‘I’ve got options.’
Scott BaileyBy Scott Bailey

South Sydney utility Siliva Havili is weighing up a move to England as one of several NRL veterans with uncertain futures beyond the end of this year.

With just three months to go in the NRL contracting year, almost 90 players are officially listed as off-contract at the end of the season with deals expiring on October 31.

Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi is the highest profile of those, with Te Maire Martin, Will Kennedy, Adam Elliott and Tyson Frizell among other top-line talent still to be locked down.

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Most clubs have already begun turning attention to their 2027 rosters, desperate to retain elite players before they become free agents on November 1.

But more immediately, 2026 is a concern for close to one-sixth of the NRL’s players.

Havili at this stage looks likely to leave the Rabbitohs, with Brandon Smith and Bronson Garlick having recently signed with the club as hooking utilities.

South Sydney's Siliva Havili is weighing several options to continue his career beyond this season.
South Sydney's Siliva Havili is weighing several options to continue his career beyond this season. Credit: AAP

AAP understands there has been some interest from Canterbury, while Parramatta loomed as one other option.

A Super League move is also not off the cards, with at least two clubs believed to be potential suitors.

“That’s definitely an option (to go to England). I’ve got options to play here too,” Havili, who has been in the NRL since 2014, told AAP.

“I still think I’ve got a lot of footy in me.

“I’m just happy to explore my options. I’ve got a young family to look after. I’m open to every option and everything out there.”

Now aged 32, Havili has been one of the few players at South Sydney not to have long-term injury issues this year after a few interrupted seasons.

The one-time Kiwis hooker also remains part of Tonga’s set up, and wants to contribute more there after finishing up.

“I do understand where I’m at with my career and what I can give,” Havili said.

“I also want to get into a bit of coaching too. So that’s something I’m looking forward to in that pathway within the Pacific Island.”

Elsewhere, Frizell has an option at Newcastle for 2026 and is expected to follow fellow veteran Dane Gagai into re-signing.

Elliott, meanwhile, is one of the bigger names still to have a deal done for next year.

The 30-year-old is believed to have options on the table in Sydney, with his wife Millie living in the city while playing with the Roosters in NRLW season.

The couple are expecting their first child in September, with Millie sitting out this NRLW season while pregnant.

Doueihi’s future is unresolved at the Tigers, with Penrith and St George Illawarra having distanced themselves from reported interest in the Lebanon star.

Cronulla continue to face a salary-cap squeeze headed into next season with fullback Kennedy one of the few members of a first-choice spine coming off contract.

The Sharks are so far unable to match the No.1’s asking price, with the situation threatening to drag into the off season.

The Dolphins also have big decisions to make in their pack, with Mark Nicholls and Josh Kerr still unsigned headed toward the end of the season.

Who is off-contact at you club

BRISBANE

Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Delouise Hoeter, Fletcher Baker, Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt

The fact fellow hookers Ben Hunt and Billy Walters will still be there next year has made the situation difficult for Paix. Salary cap space is tight with regular front-liners Corey Jensen and Jack Gosiewski still unsigned.

CANBERRA

Albert Hopoate, Danny Levi, Josh Papali’i

The big question is how the Papali’i situation plays out. The veteran is rethinking a move to England, but fitting him in would require Canberra to clear cap space given they budgeted on 2025 being his last year.

CANTERBURY

Blake Taaffe, Blake Wilson, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Drew Hutchison, Jake Turpin.

The Bulldogs’ rebuild is nearing completion with a settled roster. Hutchison is likely to follow fellow half Toby Sexton out of the club, with a move to the Super League on his English passport.

CRONULLA

Billy Burns, Kade Dykes, Mawene Hiroti, Sam Stonestreet, Will Kennedy.

Salary cap space is tight and the Sharks are unlikely to meet Kennedy’s asking price. He is yet to sign elsewhere and it could drag into the off season. Hiroti and Stonestreet have impressed this year.

DOLPHINS

Felise Kaufusi, Harrison Graham, Josh Kerr, Kenny Bromwich, Mark Nicholls, Sean O’Sullivan.

The Dolphins have some big calls to make on their middle forwards, with Kerr and Nicholls both still unsigned. Already have Selwyn Cobbo and Morgan Knowles incoming.

GOLD COAST

Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Ryan Foran, Tom Weaver, Tony Francis

Decisions need to be made around the balance of their roster, even without any big names off contract. Until they make a call on their coach for 2026, re-signings are up in the air.

MANLY

Clayton Faulalo, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Siua Taukeiaho, Tommy Talau

Manly are confident Bullemor is close to taking up a four-year deal. The club have also made clear their desire to keep Taukeiaho for another year. Faulalo is nearing a two-year extension while talks have opened with Talau for a one-year contract.

MELBOURNE

Dean Ieremia, Grant Anderson, Kane Bradley, Marion Seve, Tui Kamikamica

Anderson will join Brisbane, while Kamikamica was also linked with the Broncos. Melbourne’s bigger challenges loom in 2026, with a litany of stars off contract.

NEWCASTLE

Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Jackson Hastings, Jake Arthur, Tyson Frizell

Dane Gagai was recently extended and fellow veteran Frizell is expected to follow. Elliott has attracted serious interest from multiple of clubs, with a Sydney move a real option.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Braidon Burns, Jordan McLean, Semi Valemai, Tom Duffy

Duffy is expected to depart after the Cowboys re-signed fellow half Jake Clifford. Veteran forward McLean is yet to make a call on his future.

PARRAMATTA

Joey Lussick, Wiremu Greig, Haze Dunster

Parramatta have already moved on several players, leaving very few off contract. Lussick would be unlikely to remain at the club, following Tallyn da Silva’s mid-season arrival and Ryley Smith’s rise at hooker.

PENRITH

Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie, Harrison Hassett, Luke Sommerton, Mavrik Geyer, Preston Riki, Soni Luke

Schneider must decide whether he wants to remain back up to Nathan Cleary or consider life elsewhere. That decision may have ramifications for others, with limited cap space.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Corey Allan, Michael Molo, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Sione Finau, Viliami Fifita, David Klemmer

The Dragons have a wealth of young forwards coming through, meaning the likes of Faitala-Mariner are expected to leave the club. Finau has toured Canberra, with the Dragons facing a battle to keep the young winger.

SOUTH SYDNEY

Cody Walker, Davvy Moale, Jacob Host, Jayden Sullivan, Shaqai Mitchell, Siliva Havili

Walker and Moale’s deals are expected to be completed soon, while Sullivan is at this stage due to return to Wests Tigers. Havili could head to the Super League, but there has been interest from two other clubs.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Ethan Roberts, Tyler Moriarty, Zach Dockar-Clay

Have a reasonably settled roster, with Daly Cherry-Evans still expected to be announced as a big-name recruit.

WARRIORS

Bunty Afoa, Ed Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tom Ale

Another settled roster as a club on the up. Martin had been linked to a Super League move earlier this year.

WESTS TIGERS

Adam Doueihi, Brent Naden, Charlie Staines, Josh Feledy, Justin Matamua, Taylan May

Doueihi looms as one of the biggest off-contract talents in the NRL, with the Tigers in a fight to keep him. May had made a case for an extension with his start to life at Concord, while Naden is expected to stay at the Tigers.

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